KATHUA : Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department (HED) Talat Parvez Rohella- the Visiting Officer for Kathua MC, today presided over the proceedings of ‘My Town, My Pride’ programme and reviewed the development scenario in the Municipal areas of the Town.
DDC Kathua O.P Bhagat, Chairman Municipal Council Kathua Naresh Kumar, Executing Officer Kathua Municipal Council and other district officers were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Secretary said that Public outreach programme ‘My Town, My Pride’ was an effort to strengthen Urban Local Bodies by coordinating, and interacting with frontline departments to achieve urban development targets. He said the public outreach in towns and service delivery at doorsteps was another key objective of the two day event.
Rohella said the two day programme was devised on the line of ‘Back to Village’ to reach out to the people living in towns and cities and get feedback on the working of the departments. He said the public service delivery at the doorsteps of the people was another good feature which will give new dimension to the people centric governance.
‘The awareness component by different departments during two days will upgrade the knowledge of urban people about several schemes and services of government departments which can be availed by following well explained procedures’, Rohella expressed.
Rohella said the Kathua Municipal Council is doing well with its tax collection and revenue generation efforts which can be enhanced by adopting methods mutually decided by the Council members.
He said local government entities have key roles in implementing initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission, Open Defecation Free and Waste management besides strengthening civic amenities in fast expanding urban areas.
Earlier, Principal Secretary inaugurated Community Sanitary Complex at Kalibari and Shaheedi Chowk completed at an estimated cost of Rs 24 lakh by Sulabh International.
He also laid the foundation stone of Parking-cum-shopping Complex at Mukherjee Chowk of Kathua town. He also participated in the Greh Parvesh ceremony of newly constructed house of a PMAY(U) beneficiary.
Earlier, the Commissioner Secretary held interactive sessions with front line departments and ULB members of Kathua Municipal Council to discuss the plan of activities for short and long term goals. He assured that the Town Underground Sewerage Plan will be taken up with higher authorities for necessary approval and funds.
Meanwhile, similar activities were held in other Muncipal townships of the District. At Municipal committee Basohli, Visiting Officer Anuradha Rani (Member, J&K Special Tribunal) handed over cheques of Rs 3 Lakh to beneficiaries to start business under National Urban Livelihood Mission and laid the foundation stone of lane work at ward no 3 of Basohli town.
At Municipal committee Lakhanpur, the Visiting Officer Nawab Din (Regional Director, Land and Surveys) distributed cheques of Rs 10000 each to 19 beneficiaries of Prime Minister Street Vendors Nidhi Yojna besides handing over 10 cheques to the PMAY and employment generation scheme beneficiaries.
At Municipal committee Nagri-Parole, the Visiting Officer Mohammed Saleem (Director Tribal Affairs, J&K) inaugurated lanes constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 12 lacs.
At Municipal committee Hiranagar, Visiting Officer Angrez Singh Rana, (MD JKRTC) laid foundation stone for Extension of community hall and public park in Hiranagar town. He also gave away cheques to a PMAY beneficiary, 5 cheques to the beneficiaries of self employment scheme and golden Health Cards under Ayushman scheme.
At Municipal committee Billawar, the Visiting Officer Preduman Krishan Bhat, (Additional Commissioner, Commercial Taxes) gave cheques to the tune of Rs 41666 each among 24 beneficiaries of PMAY(U) scheme.
